Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
IVP Books (2013), Edition: 3.9.2013, 349 pages
Collection
Description
Fiction. Literature. Over 100,000 Copies Sold Worldwide! Midwest Publishing Awards Show Honorable Mention Sharon Garlough Brown tells the moving story of four strangers as they embark together on a journey of spiritual formation: Hannah, a pastor who doesn't realize how exhausted she is. Meg, a widow and recent empty-nester who is haunted by her past. Mara, a woman who has experienced a lifetime of rejection and is now trying to navigate a difficult marriage. Charissa, a hard-working graduate student who wants to get things right. You're invited to join these four women as they reluctantly arrive at a retreat center and find themselves drawn out of their separate stories of isolation and struggle and into a collective journey of spiritual practice, mutual support and personal revelation. Along the way, readers will be taken into a new understanding of key spiritual practices and find tangible support for the deeper life with God. If you want to travel this journey with others, you will find a group study guide and book club resources at www.sensibleshoesclub.com.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member EstherFilbrun
What a story! This isn’t the first book I’ve read this year that I want to reread, but it’s likely the first fiction title that’s struck me that way.
I loved the depth in here—the characters felt like real people, their backstories were intricate and realistic, and the writing style was
This story was challenging, encouraging, delightful, and difficult. I saw myself in each of the four women, and watching them struggle to trust and follow the Lord felt all too familiar to me. I laughed with them as they discovered themselves—their quirks, their little joys—and gulped back tears as I walked with them in their grief, which often resonated with mine.
If you’re looking for an encouraging read, read this. If you like books that not only deliver solid stories but also have spiritual depth to them, this is a great book for that! Woven throughout the story are the “teaching notes” from the class they were attending, and I found those interesting, refreshing, and very applicable—I’d love to go back and spend more time on each one myself!
Even though I loved this book, there was one element I didn’t like (a case of a divorced man getting to know another woman)—but even that was brilliantly done. Though I don’t agree with it theologically, it forced me to respect the author, because while I didn’t agree with the character’s choices, I understood why they were going the way they were.
An excellent read. Check it out.
I loved the depth in here—the characters felt like real people, their backstories were intricate and realistic, and the writing style was
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very well done. This book is fairly long. It also is a very introspective story, as the four main characters work through things in their lives. But despite those two factors, I got through this book in record time.This story was challenging, encouraging, delightful, and difficult. I saw myself in each of the four women, and watching them struggle to trust and follow the Lord felt all too familiar to me. I laughed with them as they discovered themselves—their quirks, their little joys—and gulped back tears as I walked with them in their grief, which often resonated with mine.
If you’re looking for an encouraging read, read this. If you like books that not only deliver solid stories but also have spiritual depth to them, this is a great book for that! Woven throughout the story are the “teaching notes” from the class they were attending, and I found those interesting, refreshing, and very applicable—I’d love to go back and spend more time on each one myself!
Even though I loved this book, there was one element I didn’t like (a case of a divorced man getting to know another woman)—but even that was brilliantly done. Though I don’t agree with it theologically, it forced me to respect the author, because while I didn’t agree with the character’s choices, I understood why they were going the way they were.
An excellent read. Check it out.
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LibraryThing member KateBaxter
I initially purchased this book in support of a fellow Smith College alum who had recently completed her first novel (in fewer than five months, I might add). I had no idea what I was in for. This is the story of four very different women who meet in a spiritual journey course. The characters are
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developed throughout the book. I found myself in bits and parts of each character. I suspect most women would. Instead of reading a book, I perceived myself sitting among the characters and listening to their stories. This book is well written and well edited. (Never, did I have that overwhelming urge to correct the the text and return the red-lined book to the publisher.) It literally brought me to my knees! I can't wait for Sharon's next book! Show Less
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
Hannah, Meg, Mara, and Charissa meet at a spiritual formation group. Hannah is a 40ish pastor experiencing burnout, Meg is a forty-something widow who recently lost her mother, Mara is a 50-something wife and mother with low self-worth, and Charissa is a 20-something recently married graduate
There is more “meat” in this book than is typical for most Christian fiction. Spiritual formation exercises are woven into the stories of the four women and their spiritual journeys. The exercises and the discussion guide at the end of the book make it useful for reading groups and/or spiritual formation groups.
After spending an enjoyable evening with the author and a couple of friends in Michigan this summer, I was eager to read this book. When I picked this book up at the beginning of the week, I had no idea that it would turn out to be one of the most stressful weeks I've experienced in a long while. Following Hannah, Meg, Mara, and Charissa's spiritual journeys reminded me to pause and listen for the Spirit's movement in my own life, and not to let anxiety and fear get the upper hand.
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student who values nothing more than control. The four women weather some initial friction and bond on their spiritual journey, with “sensible shoes” serving as a metaphor for the journey.There is more “meat” in this book than is typical for most Christian fiction. Spiritual formation exercises are woven into the stories of the four women and their spiritual journeys. The exercises and the discussion guide at the end of the book make it useful for reading groups and/or spiritual formation groups.
After spending an enjoyable evening with the author and a couple of friends in Michigan this summer, I was eager to read this book. When I picked this book up at the beginning of the week, I had no idea that it would turn out to be one of the most stressful weeks I've experienced in a long while. Following Hannah, Meg, Mara, and Charissa's spiritual journeys reminded me to pause and listen for the Spirit's movement in my own life, and not to let anxiety and fear get the upper hand.
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LibraryThing member TheLoopyLibrarian
Sensible Shoes is not simply a novel. It is a spiritual experience. The book is an emotional ride through spiritual growth with four women of different experiences and backgrounds. I related to each woman in one way or another. If you pick up this book, be open to a spiritual journey of your own.
In
In
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accordance with FTC guidelines, please note I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Show Less
LibraryThing member ErinAyin
Here is a summary of what the book is about. Hannah, a pastor who doesn't realize how exhausted she is.
Meg, a widow and recent empty-nester who is haunted by her past.
Mara, a woman who has experienced a lifetime of rejection and is now trying to navigate a difficult marriage.
Charissa, a
You're invited to join these four women as they reluctantly arrive at a retreat center and find themselves drawn out of their separate stories of isolation and struggle and into a collective journey of spiritual practice, mutual support and personal revelation.
Along the way, readers will be taken into a new understanding of key spiritual practices and find tangible support for the deeper life with God.
My sister in law gave me this book in 2015. This is an amazing story. I love the characters and the friendships they have with each other. I love that this is a spiritual book about getting closer to God. The women in this story goes through some struggles in their lives but they are reminded that God is always there. This book is a real page turner i couldn’t put it down. I would highly recommend this book.
Meg, a widow and recent empty-nester who is haunted by her past.
Mara, a woman who has experienced a lifetime of rejection and is now trying to navigate a difficult marriage.
Charissa, a
Show More
hard-working graduate student who wants to get things right.You're invited to join these four women as they reluctantly arrive at a retreat center and find themselves drawn out of their separate stories of isolation and struggle and into a collective journey of spiritual practice, mutual support and personal revelation.
Along the way, readers will be taken into a new understanding of key spiritual practices and find tangible support for the deeper life with God.
My sister in law gave me this book in 2015. This is an amazing story. I love the characters and the friendships they have with each other. I love that this is a spiritual book about getting closer to God. The women in this story goes through some struggles in their lives but they are reminded that God is always there. This book is a real page turner i couldn’t put it down. I would highly recommend this book.
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Language
Original language
English
Physical description
349 p.; 5.5 inches
ISBN
9780830843053